Frame structure for tractors



Feb. 4, 1930.

T. c. LEAKE FRAME STRUCTURE FOR TRACTORS 3 Sheets-Sheet Filed May 26. 1922 JgLINVENTOR .BY- W III IIL Y AQALU/ ATTORNEY 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 T. c. LEAKE FRAME STRUCTURE FOR TRACTORS Filed May 26. 1922 Feb, 4, 1 930.

ATTORNEY .7 2 J6N.VENTQR BY AQuJ/LQ W Feb. 4, 1930. I T. c. LEAKE I FRAME STRUCTURE FOR TRAGTORS Filed May 26. 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I IN 9M 4.

VENTOR fl ah F ATTORNEY I Patented Feb;4,1930

. rnomAsomm-Kn, or. sew-wa as. Y ssmno'm mzsns assrenmimmsmomran TRAo'roR UOR'EORA'BEDN or AMERICA, OF NEW Yonxyn. Y., afoorvronamroiv 05F i i L i l r ica tion med m n costs; 4 a V I A A more specificobjiect is to provide an 1111- provedarrangement of the en g1ne-carryrr1g trains with respect/to fire. .socalled tractor or track frames track-laying f tractors, iwherefbysthe tractor is tenabled to travel over" 15- oornparatiyely rough ground' andat the same time perform efficiently iits tractionfnnctions; Another fobjecta'is to i provide improved equalizing connections whereby the weight of the power unit is at allrtimes properly dis- V tribu'ted between vthe tractor frames and dis tort-ion and excessive-stresses avoided.

I Still' anotherl object is to provide improved guiding mechanism for directing the movemerit oft-he tractor frames under operating oonditlons.

Another object is to proride improved articulation for f-riario'n's parts of tractor frames of 'the'track laying type whereby the sm ar" is enabled to profnerly perfonn its tunctlons under severe service condl'tlons. Other objects advantageswi'll 'be pzartpointed out in connection with thierfoL.

'lowi'ng' detailed description sand-Will be in part obvious 'fronrthe arrangements and constructions therein set forth. v I V 'Thei-nventi-on accordingly consistsin the feat/tires- 'o'fconstruction combinations of e'lemerits and arrangement of pal-ts which wi l].

after set forth, and the scope of their app-H'- patron will appear i n the appended' claims."

j F ragc mplete understanding ofthe natn're V advantages of this inventiorrreterences' vshouldJoe had tQithe f llowing demiledfl .scription,.and.to t'he accompanying drawings," F wherein an i'llustrated embodiment of the invention-Renown and 1 Fis s l fet r n v ew-of he ment {is palrplied 1. .9" 1% t'mQfiQriofstheflerzibl fiend-type,

beeXempIified in the oast-meson hereinrt-ionand broken away;- I Z v Y Fig; 5 "1s a fragmentary seetlonaliew mans era-scenes as rn-Acro s a 1922. serialm. ssaav;

certain: parts beingzremoved xior olearness ofd1scl0su-re;

. Fig. 2 is j a trontfleleration of the same; Fig.8 is an ;.en]arged detailed sectional View taken centrally, through onefiof the equalizing connections 5 V Fig. 4i-s;a fragmentary side elevation the invention, certain partsbeing shown in secshowing the attachmentof one of the side me r'r lbersof the tractorifrflmej, 't

Fig. (Sis a fragmentary transverse'sectional View taken approximately on of F 1g.. 1 and showing the guiding. feasting attached to the: power rink-frame;

Fig 7 is a detailed enlarged sectionalview I taken on the line 7+7 ofFig; 4; and

Fig. .81s adetail otthe connection of therear end of theta-motor frame. 7 I Befe'rringnow to the: drawings for a .de-

line tailed description ofthe embodiment shown,

a tractor of the flexible tread typeis shown having;v a' mainpowerunit srqg'portang frame I havingsupportlng connections at its rear 'endrto -spacediplatesi2 Whichact as guard plates for protecting certain parts of the structure. These plateskar'e mounted onxa transverse axis cornpr supports SrigidLymounted in integral tor- ,rnat ions 4' on agear-housing. 5,7 the plates '2 aligned studsor b-eingrigidly mortnted on studs 3 in' anyde- I sired manner; The rearward edges- ,of the plates ordisosQ are also secured to the gearhons-ing ;5 -as shown in-Fignre 1. The frame '1 preerab1y .-inc-1udes @si-dei frame members made nip of itisil'kgle roiled metallic -cha nnel shape bent into substanti lly U;-i:'=or11n and having its rear-W and extending "legs '15, diverging asat Gand bolted at the rear-ends to integlrally offset ferrnations-jon -t he p1ates Transverse members v 8* are secured to the side member-sot thef-rame; 1'; and-Hie ..enginef9 is secured atspaeedgpoints-to transverse membersg There may, of course,

be additional transverse sup orting and -braeing mem bers i-f-d esired.-

engine unit emern ber 8wh iolfilmay,

tegral (paletgine is secured by a centrally disposed lug 9 to the cross member 8 This arrangement provides in effect a threepoint suspension for the engine, which is an advantageous type of construction. A radiator element 10 is supported on the forward part of the main supporting frame and is connected in any approved manner with the coolingjacket of.

the engine by conduits, one of which is shown at 11. y i V Rotatably mounted on each of the aligned studs 3 is a sprocket 12 arranged to be driven in any desired mannerfrom a train of gearin arran ed within the earhousin 5 and -ing 5 and forming a forward extension of the latterj V Each of the sprockets 12 carries, and is arranged to drive, an endlessfiexible traction belt or chain 15 passing around the sprocket and also passing around and supported at its forward end by a spaced rotatable idler 15 in a manner known in the art. Since this flexible traction member is not claimed specifically herein, it is, for convenience, shown diagrammatically in the drawings. For flexibly connecting the traction elements of the tractor to the main or power unit frame, a pair of tractor or track frames spaced at opposite sides of the main frame are provided. As shown each of these tractor frames preferably comprises a U-shaped frame 17of rolled metallic channel shapes bent intermediate its ends to provide a forwardly disposed how 18 lying abreast the forward end of the main frame and rearwardly extending legs. To the rear terminals of these legsare secured plates or brackets 19 for providing a pivotal connection to the studs 3 Each of these brackets has a body portion 20 adapted to be riveted against the web of the channel and. an angularly disposed fiange21 for securing to the upper flange thereof. split bearing is connected at the upper edge of the terminal plate for engagingthe studs 3, and comprises a lower half which may be formed integrally with the connecting plate, and anupper half 23 arranged to be boltedto the lower half. It

will be noted that these connections provide a pivotal support for the rear ends of the tractor frames whereby the latter lie in a lower plane than that of the power unit frame 11 provid ng ample room for relative movement This like *constructitin, bracing the tractor'struc- "parts as nentioned above.

ture transversely and adds to the rigidity thereof and to its ability to withstand the stresses under severe service conditions to which tractors of this class are subjected. It

.will be noted that each tractor frame carries its idler 16 and flexible traction chain, and these parts are adapted to swing as a unit, as service conditions may require.

A flexible supporting connection, particularly shown in Figs/1, 2 and 3, is provided in opposite ends of this equalizing bar for flex- 1 ibly connecting the main frame with the tractor frames. These connections are arranged so as to dispose the forward ends of the tractor frames below the level of the frame 1 for providing transverse rigidity and furnishing ample room for movement of the Each of these flexible connections as shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 3, comprises plates 27 and 28 secured to the flange 29 of the tractor frame and arranged respectively below and above said flange. Aportionof the flange 29 may be cut away for passage of a link 30 having a head at the lower extremity and threaded at its upper end into a block 31, which is pivoted to the end of the equalizingbar 24. The upper surface of the plate 28 has a spherical formation 32 (to-operating. with a block 33, formed with a complementary spherical surface. The blocks 31 and 33 are arranged to provide seats for opposite ends of'a compression spring 34: placed therebetween. Link 30 extends downwardly through an opening in the plates 27 and 28 and through the flange 29 and is provided with a washer 35 resting on the linkhead andforming a seat for a second spring 36. This second spring surrounds the link and abuts at its upper end against the plate 27. 7

Means for guiding and supporting the forward ends of the tractor frames and power unit frame in their relative movement are provided.. This means comprises a casting 37 rigidly secured to the side members of the frame 1, as shown in Figs. 2 and 6. This 1 casting has downwardly extending legs 88 provided with exterior channel guides 39. Guide members 40, preferably of 'cast or pressed metal are bolted to the flanges or othf erwise secured in positionupon the tractor frames 17. These guiding .members have flanges 41 for co-operating with the channel guides 39 for guiding relative movement between the tractor frames and the main frame. Each guiding member Ohas an offset lug 42 adaptedto be received'hetween. the flanges of the tractor frame" "and tobe bolted therethrough forming a firm support The flange l engagmg 1n the 'chai'mel guide 8 9;will pre- 1- vent lateral spreading of the tractor frames relatively 'to'ea'ch' other" or "tothe main frame,

" \vhil e permitting relative up and down'movement of thes'ame. V I understood that movement 1s transmitted to the flexible tractor element 15 from the engine through the power transmission to drive the by means of the pivotal connection at the rear endsthereof. to "ahgn themselves 1n accordance with the irregularities in the ground and to remain always in contact with the traction surfaces in position to perform their'traction functions.

Atthe same time twisting and otherdistort-V i'ng stressesin the tractor frames themselves or on the main supporting frame are effectually avoided and breakageand wear of the parts are'minimized; The flexible connections between the track frames and between the engine frame at'theforward ends thereof to the equalizing bar 24 permit this relative movement of the frames and equalize the stresses while theguiding means fill- 40, keep the frames at all timesin p'roper'lateral align ment. Shocks due to sudden upward or downward relatlve movement of the frames are absorbedinthe cushioning springs 34 or 36, these spring-seeming into play respective- 1;; dependent upon-whether the relative movement of the tractor frame is upward or'downward; Shocksdue'to lateral lurching of the main frame are also absorbed by these springs.

Angular movements of the links 36' due to slight lateral relative movements between the main-and track frames and to different angu- I lar positions oftheequalizing bar 24 are per- J mitted bythe spherical formations of the co-' operatingplates 28 and33.

By the arrangement of flexible connections betweenthe main frame and thetrack frames,

it-will benoted that thetrack frames are perg p g frames mov'ably; supported for independent mittedto move'upwardly or downwardly independently of movement of the main engine frame. 7

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely dlfferentflembodlments of thls lnven- 7 tion could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in'a lim1t1ng sense.

It is also to be understood that the language used in the following claims is intended to In operation it will be This enables the flexible treads 7 frame anda swing swinging movement of saidcennenc i tiv'e movements between said equa each end of saidequalizing bar and one; of

equalizing bar, loadf supporting bloelrs i a l r l tyj fdirections connection'i'ncludiiig al flames mavens-r: sup er-tedstatements of the scopefof the :inveirtien, which, as-a matter of lang'uage;

to falltherehetween; i i

Having described my invention-,1 what I claim as n'ew and desire to secure "by-Letters Patentflsi v .1 123 In atractor, in 'comhinati n; a pairof track frame s pivotally mounted and arranged iii parallel spaced relation, a ste pe; rrameyjmtapeseato said'traclt frames;

supporting frame-and 5 swinging c nect'ion' between Teach end of said equalizing a1? and 'i one of s'aidtrack frames having" anrii versal resiliently yielding" eonnec on ith the respect-ivetrack frameand bein adapted to cushion sheclrs in a plur'afty of directions 1 between said-equalizing bar: and said" tr'a'ek frames; I: i I ii I, 2.'In a tractorjin combination; track frames mov'ably sn'p'p'orted arranged; in

parallel spaced relation, a-eu'ppo rt g 'frarne adj a'cent said track frames, an e'quaand supporting, harconnectedt'o said suppert-ing. 'connegeti 1 Between bar aad oneer each end of? said eq'i.

said track frames,{ connected to" the equalizand track frame, said' connectio load sup-ply blockshav'ing curve engaging supportii'ig-facesi' Infa tractor}! incombination, track frames mov-ab'ly supported and arranged "pz'tral-lel relation, a supportingfrarrie fad acent said track-fiaines an'equalizingand V supporting bar connected" to said s'upgioi'fting framei-and' a swinging connection etween said'track frames; e'ach of said connect-ions including a rod flexibly-connected to aid re "se e shear engaging? fepr faces and sprmgs'for; ushionm t e ses-be tween sardtrack fra-m d e uanzmgt r In a tractor; in combination, track movement. and: 'arranged 'in parallel, spaced relation, 2; supporting frame adjacentsaid' track frames, an equalizing"supportingbar sw ns bly J a n -eeri an 'prb frame, I and a universal supporting connection between each end off the equal'izrrrg tar and'one of saidtrack framesgsaikr an I fianebesairl i equalizing bar Ip1-vot'a-lly 1connectedt'e s'ai'd if i100 parallel spaced relation, a supporting frame adjacent said track frames, an equalizing supporting bar swingably connected to said supporting frame, and a universal supporting connection between each end of the equalizing bar and one of said track frames, said universal connection including load supporting blocks having complementary slidably engaging curved surfaces, one block being secured to the track frame, a load supporting compression spring between the equalizing bar and the other supporting block, and a connecting rod swingably connected to the equalizing bar, extending through said supporting blocks and flexibly connected to the trackframe.

6, In a tractor, in combination, track frames" independently pivotally supported and arranged-in parallel spaced relation, a

supporting frame adj acentsaid track frames,

bearingblock and track frame, and a'depending link connected at one end to said bearing block and extending downwardly therefrom and having a resilient connection atits lower end to the track frame arranged in opposition to said resilient compression member. 7

In testimony whereof I- aflix my signature.

' THOMAS C. LEAKE.

an equalizing and supporting bar connected to said supporting frame, and a swinging connection betweenea-ch end of said equalizer bar and one ofv said track frames, each'fof gs-said swinging connections: including aresilient compression member interposed between the end of-the equalizing bar andthe track frame and bearing upon the'latt er for yieldingly supporting the supporting frame upon 1 i the track frame, and a dependent'link pivot- V .ally connected at its upper end to the endof at'its' 'lower end to the track frame.

7. In a tractor, in combination, track framesindependently pivotally supported and arranged in parallel spacedrelation, a supporting frame adj acentsai'd track frames,

=an equalizing and supporting bar connected to' said supporting frame, and a swinging the equalizing bar and'yieldinglyconnected connection between each end of said equalizer bar and one of said track frames, each of said track frame in opposition to said resilient compression member;

8. In a tractor, in combination, track T frames independently pivotally supported in spaced relation, a supporting frame adjacent said track frames, an equalizing and supportframe and positionedv to, bear against' the if ing bar'pivotally connected to said supporting frame, and a swinging connection between each end of said equalizing bar and one of said track frames, each-of sald swinging connectionsincluding a spring bearing block pivoted to the end'o'f said equalizing bar for movement about a horizontal axis, a resilient compression "member interposed between said Ian 

